Although Asia has been through various personnel changes,
it’s great to see the original four members get back together and give fans
what they want. The set list features both old and new, from a surprisingly
strong “Heat of the Moment” to Omega’s
“Holy War,” which doesn’t stray far for the classic Asia formula. As with any
set list, this one isn’t short on surprises. Steve Howe fans will be thrilled
to hear some fantastic cut’s from his solo albums including a very tranquil
version of “All’s A Chord” and “The Valley of Rocks.” There’s something special about Mr. Howe and
his acoustic guitar – his playing creates an atmosphere that only a legend such
as he can create, silencing the whole crowd as they watch in awe.
With Asia having such a long track record, I was
admittedly a bit nervous to hear how Wetton’s voice has held up over the years.
Listening to “Don’t Cry” and “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes,” it is very clear
that Wetton has done what it takes to keep his voice immune to the effects of
time. That’s not to say the background vocals by Steve Howe and Carl Palmer
(drums) aren’t just as good as before. As always, their voices complement each
other’s wonderfully, making for a very pleasant vocal mix.
Resonance
isn’t
a live album that will break any boundaries, but it is refreshing to hear a
reunion where the band members sound just as good as they did in their golden
days. I think any listener that hasn’t been in tune with Asia’s latest releases
will be impressed with the state of the band. After taking Resonance for a spin, it might be worth checking out what Asia’s
new studio material has to offer.
4/5 Stars
Key
Tracks: I Believe, An Extraordinary Life, Heat of the Moment
Austin Hannaleck - MuzikReviews.com Staff
December 2, 2012
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